Oil tank cleaner



Jan. 10, 1939. J. F. JACOBS OIL TANK CLEANER Filed April 19, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 1''. Jacoba.

/1 V/VAV AW/V Jan. 10, 1939. J, F JACOBS 2,143,441

OIL TANK CLEANER Filed April 19, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Jan. 10, 1939 PATENT OFFlCE OIL TANK CLEANER pany, a corporation Application April 19, 1937, Serial No. 137,822

5 Claims.

This invention relates to tanks of the type in which oil is stored in, large quantities and more particularly relates to means for removing salt water, sediment and other impurities which accumulate in the bottom of the tank.

One object of the invention is to provide the tank with a cleaning apparatus so mounted in the lower portion of the tank that the salt water and sediment which accumulate in the bottom of the tank can be very easily withdrawn without initially removing thegood oil.

It is another object of the invention to provide an apparatus of this character so constructed that a head having perforated inlet arms may be turned about a vertical axis concentric to the tank and the arms moved circumferentially of the tank into position for removing the water and sediment resting upon portions of the bottom of the tank betweenthe arms.

Another object of the invention is to so construct the cleaning apparatus that the head carrying the perforated arms turns about a coupling serving as part of the outlet conduit for the water and muck .or other sediment and also serving as means to engage and rotatably support the upper portion of the head from which the perforated arms radiate.

Another object of the invention is to provide improved means for shifting the arms circumferentially of the tank, the said means having an actuating shaft extending outwardly through a wall of the tank so that itmay be operated from a position externally of the tank.

It is another object of the invention to so construct the means for imparting movement to the arms and the head carrying the same that this movement will be limited and thus movement of the arms beyond a desired extent prevented.

Anotherobject of the invention is to provide the cleaning apparatus with a T-coupling having its upper portion so constructed that a ladder or a gin pole may be disposed vertically in the tank and supported at its lower end from the upper end ,of the T-co-upling.

It is another object of the invention to provide an improved paddle which may be secured upon either one or all of the arms in such position that it will extend upwardly therefrom and agitate thick muck in the bottom of the tank and thus cause this muck to be stirred up to such an extent that it may be drawn through the perforated arms.

The invention is illustrated in the accompany ing drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a sectional view taken vertically through the lower portion of a storage tank with the improved cleaning apparatus in place,

Figure 2 is a sectional View taken transversely through the tank along the line 2-2 of Figure 1, and

Figure 3 is a view taken along the line 3-3 of Figure 1.

The tank, which is indicated by the numeral i, is of a conventional construction and may be of any height and diameter desired. This tank is 10 to be supported in an upright position in any dc sired manner and oil may be fed into the tank and withdrawn therefrom for use in any desired manner. It will thus be seen that the tank itself is of a conventional construction and has not 5 been illustrated in detail.

When oil is stored in a tank, salt water accumulates in the bottom of the tank and, even if salt water is not present, muck and sediment will accumulate at the bottom of the tank. It 20 is desirable to remove the salt water and muck at predetermined intervals, and in order to do so, the apparatus constituting the subject-matter of this invention has been provided. This apparatus is constructed as shown in the accom- 25 panying drawings and arranged in the tank, as shown in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings. Referring to Figure 1, it will be seen that a bearing 2 is mounted at'the bottom of the tank centrally of the bottom 3 thereof and consists of a metal 30 plate formed with an upstanding boss 3.

L-shaped securing bolts 5 are passed upwardly through the bottom of the tank and engaged by nuts 5 countersunk in the upper face of the boss of the bearing, and, while three bolts have been used as shown in Figure 3, it will be understood that any desired number may be employed which will hold the bearing in place and prevent it from turning.

A hollow head 6 which is formed of strong metal is disposed over the bearing 2 and formed in its under face with a socket 1 into which the upper portion of the base 4 loosely fits. The body portion of this head is of substantially the same diameter as the bearing 2, and between marginal portions of the bearing and the head are disposed bearing balls 8 which may fit into sockets 9 formed in the under face of the head about the socket l or be held in their proper position between the head and the marginal portion of the bearing in any desired manner. Arms I 0 radiate from walls of the hollow head in spaced relation to each other circumferentially thereof and are formed with passages H having their outer end portions enlarged and threaded, as shown at l2, to provide sockets in which the threaded inner end portions of the arms or spokes l3 are screwed firmly into place. These arms or tubes l3 are formed in their under portions with inlet openings [4, and upon referring to Figures 1 and 3, it will be seen that the openings l4 of each arm or tube are spaced from each other longitudinally thereof and that the openings decrease in diameter from the outer end of the tube or arm toward the inner end thereof. Outer ends of the tubes or arms are internally threaded to receive plugs l5, and since these plugs are removably mounted they may be taken out and a cleaning implement passed entirely through the arms when a thorough cleaning is necessary. It will, of course, be understood that the apparatus must be removed from the tank when such cleaning is performed.

Above the head 6 is disposed a T-coupling or column IS which is also formed of strong metal and is disposed vertically in the tank in axial relation thereto with its side arm l1 extending radially thereof. The lower end portion of the T- coupling or column is received in an internal socket l8 formed at the upper end of the head 6, and since the column fits loosely in the upper end of the head, it will serve to rotatably support the upper end of the head and permit the head to turn freely without moving out of its proper position in the tank. A pipe I9 extends radially in the tank between the arms I! of the column and the peripheral wall of the tank, the inner end portion of this pipe being externally threaded and screwed into the outer end of the arm and the outer 'end of the pipe being formed with a circumferentially extending flange 20 in which threaded openings 2| are formed to receive securing screws 22 passed inwardly through the flange 23 of a discharge pipe 24. This pipe is passed inwardly through an opening 25 formed through the peripheral wall of the tank with its inner end fitting snugly into the pipe l9, and when the screws 22 are tightened, a tight joint will be formed and thus prevent leakage. If so desired, gaskets may be provided between the peripheral wall of the tank and the flanges 20 and 23 as means for positively preventing leakage. By so mounting the pipe IS a rigid support will be provided for the column I6, and this column or T- couplingwill be maintained in the vertical position shown in Figure 1. The weight of the oil in the tank may be depended upon for forcing the salt water and muck through the tubes l3 and out through the column l6 and the pipes l9 and 24 when a closure for the outer end of the pipe 24 is opened or removed, or, if so desired, the outer end of the pipe 24 may be connected with a suction pump which will draw the water and muck outwardly when it is in operation.

The arms or tubes I3 of the head are spaced from each other circumferentially of the tank, and in order that muck and sediment which collect in the bottom of the tank may be easily removed, it, is necessary to turn the head about the bearing and the lower end of the column l6 and cause the arms to be swung circumferentially of the tank and thus be moved about the tank into position over all portions of the bottom thereof. In order toeffect this movement, there has been provided a rack bar 26 which is of arcuate formation and extends between outer ends of two of the arms or tubes l3 circumferentially of the tank, as shown in Figure 2. The teethupon the upper face of the rack bar mesh with the teeth of a gear or pinion 21 carried by a shaft 28 which is journaled through the peripheral wall of the tank,

and upon referring to Figure 2, it will be seen that a packing gland or bearing 29 fits about the outer portion of the shaft 28 and is secured against the outer face of the wall of the tank by a suitable number of screws 30. The packings 3| serve to provide a tight joint about the shaft 28 and prevent leakage. Within the tank the shaft is provided with a bar or annular flange 32 which limits outward movement of the shaft by engagement with the inner surface of the Wall of the tank, and

a securing pin or key 33 is passed through the outer portion of the shaft to engage the outer end face of the packing gland 29 and prevent inward movement of this shaft. Therefore, the shaft will be securely held in place and prevented from shifting longitudinally. It will thus be seen that the gear or pinion 21 will be maintained in proper mesh with the teeth of the rack bar 26, and when the shaft 28 is turned the head 6 will be turned about the bearing 2 and the lower end of the the operator will thus know that the arms or tubes 1 l3 have reached the end of their pass of travel in one direction and must be moved in the opposite direction. The arms or tubes will thus be progressively moved over all portions of the bottom of the tank and muck which has accumulated in the bottom of the tank will be all removed. The extreme outerv end of the shaft 28 is reduced and squared, as shown at 34, in order that a turning implement, such as a crank, may be'applied to this end of the shaft. It will be'understood that, if so desired, a pinion may be applied to this squared outer end portion of the shaft 28 and rotary motion imparted to this pinion in any desired manner to turn the shaft.

In order that the salt water and muck will fiow from the column 16 through the'side arm l1 thereof into the pipe l9, the upper end of this column must be closed. In order to do so, there has been provided a threaded plug 35 which is screwed into the internally threaded upper end portion of the column. A squared lug 36 extends upwardly from the plug for engagement by a wrench sothat the plug may be easily inserted or removed. This lug 36 will also serve to engage in a socket formed in the lower end of a gin pole I in case such a pole is provided in the tank as a support for the roof or top of the tank. It will thus be seen that the lower end of a gin pole may be firmly anchored and the gin pole maintained in an upright position axially of the tank and properly support the top ofthe tank. A collar 3'! is formed about the upper end of the column to reinforce this portion of the column into which the plug is screwedand the marginal edge face of the collar is recessed, as shown at 38, to form a circumferentially extending seat-in which a clamp 39 is secured. This clamp is formed of two sections, as shown in Figure 2, and provided with outstanding arms 50 which are firmly secured together by bolts" 4| and 42, the bolt 42 not only serving as" securing means for holding the arms of the two clamp sections tightly against each other but also constituting'fasteners for passing through eyes 43 formed at the lower ends of the side bars or rails 44 of a ladder 45. It will thus be seen that a ladder may. be mounted in an upright position in the tank and serve as means whereby workmen may climb down into the tank when necessary.

In some cases, oil is stored in the tank containing a thick sediment which collects in the bottom of the tank and is of suchLthickness thatit will not flow easily through the openings I4 into the tubes or arms I3. In such cases, it is desirable to permit this thick sediment to be agitated and broken up so that it will be liquefiedto such an extent that it may pass through the openings of the tubes. In order to do so, agitating means should be applied to one or all of the arms in such a position that, as the head 6 turns about the column and the arms move circumferentially of the tank, the agitator or agitators will be moved through the mass of sedimentxand break it up. Only one of the arms has been shown pro 7 vided with an agitator, but, as previously stated,

similar agitators may be applied to all of the arms. This agitator, which is indicated by the numeral iii, is formed of metal and has a crosshead or plate 4? which extends horizontally over the arm or tube I 3 and is formed with large openings 18 so that, when it is in motion, a portion of the sediment may pass through these openings. It will thus be seen that the agitator may be moved very easily through the muck. A shank 49 extends downwardly from the plate 41 midway the length thereof, and at its lower end carries a base plate which is preferably rectangular, as shown in Figure 2, and of such dimensions that opposed marginal portions of the base plate project from opposite sides of the tube or arm I3 over which the agitator is disposed. U-bolts 5i straddle the tube I3 between certain of the openings I4 with their threaded upper ends passing through openings formed in the projecting marginal portions of the base plate, and, when the nuts 52 are applied and tightened, the agitator will be very securely held in place upon the tube. Since the plate or crosshead 4%? of the agitator extends longitudinally of the tube or arm I3, it will be forced through quite a large body of muck in the bottom of the tank during movement of the arms or tubes I3 and the thick muck will be thoroughly stirred and agitated and any portions of the muck which have formed into a cake will be broken up and reduced to such a state that the muck may easily pass through the openings I4 into the tube and then pass upwardly through the column and. out through the pipes I9 and 24.

In addition to using the device for removing salt water and sediment from oil tanks, it may also be used for treating oil and for heating oil. In certain localities, large quantities of oil are produced that is mixed with basic sediment and salt water which, due to the viscosity or thickness of the oil, will not settle to the bottom of the tanks. Hence, a chemical known as 'Ireetlite has to be mixed through this oil which thins the oil down and allows the sediment to settle. It is necessary to mix thoroughly this Treetlite through the oil. Methods now in use require handling the oil several times but with this improved apparatus either gas, air or steam is fed into the discharge line, which gas forces its way out through the intake perforations in the bottoms of the arms and bubbles up through the oil mixing and rolling it. Therefore, the operator may just pour the Treetlite" into the top of the tank and turn the air, gas or steam into the discharge line so that it will bubble up through the oil and roll and mix the oil and Treetlite thoroughly. After this has been done, it is merely necessary to close the discharge line and let the tank stand until the residue becomes settled, at which time the discharge line may be opened and the bad oil and sediment that have been cut out of the oil through the process of mixing above referred to drawn off. During the process of mixing, the armsare moved by means of the cooperating gear and rack, during which time the paddles or agitators fastened to the arms will have a tendency to agitate the oil and make it much easier to roll the oil with the air, gas or steam. 1

This apparatus is also intended for heating oil in colder countries where the oil congeals under a low temperature and has to be warmedor heated before it can be marketed or turned into pipe lines. The apparatus will perform this work perfectly by turning steam or heated gas or heated air into the discharge line and forcingit out through the intake openings of the cross arms from which it bubbles up through the oil.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is: v

1. A container, a hollow column extending vertically in said container, a conduit extending lateraly from said column and out of said container, a hollow head at the lower end of said column rotatably mounted and having inlets whereby material in the bottom of the container may enter the head and pass upwardly through the column and out through the conduit, means for turning said head about the lower end of said column, and an agitator carried by said head and consisting of a shank rising from the head and a cross-head carried by said shank and extending radially of the container in a vertical plane and formed with transverse openings through which contents of the container move when the head is turned about the column and the agitator moved circumferenti-ally of the container.

2. A container having a bottom and peripheral wall, a column disposed vertically in said container and. closed at its upper end, a conduit extending laterally from said column and through the peripheral wall of the container, a clamp secured about said column above said conduit and having arms extending from opposite sides of the column, a ladder having lower ends of its side rails securedto said arms to support the ladder, a hollow head rotatably mounted between the lower end of the column and the bottom of the container, tubes extending from said head and formed with inlet openings, and means for turning the head and moving the tubes circumferentially of the container.

3. A container having a bottom and a peripheral wall, a bearing in the container secured upon the bottom centrally thereof and having an upstanding lug circular in cross section, a cylindrical column disposed vertically in the container and having a side arm intermediate its height, a conduit secured through the peripheral wall of the container and having its inner end engaged with the side arm of said column and supporting the column, a closure for the upper end of the column, a hollow head having its lower end formed with a socket loosely receiving the lug of said bearing and its upper end rotatably engaged about the lower end of said column, the portion of the under face of the head between the socket and the periphery of the head being formed with pockets, anti-friction members between the head and bearing engaged in said pockets, tubular arms extending radially from said head with their outer ends closed and their inner ends communicating with the head, said arms having under portions formed with inlet openings spacing the bottom of the container, and means for turning the head and swinging the arms circumferentially of the container.

4. A container having a bottom and a peripheral wall, a cylindrical column mounted vertically in said tank and having its upper end closed and its lower end open, a conduit extending from said column through the peripheral wall of the container and constituting a support for the column, a hollow head rotatable about the lower end of the column between the column and the bottom of the container, said head having tubular arms extending therefrom and formed with inlet openings, means for turning the head about the column and imparting movement to the arms circumferentially of the container, and an agitator carried by one arm and consisting of a base secured to the arm, a shank rising from the base, and a crosshead carried by the upper end of the shank and extending longitudinally of the arm and formed with openings.

5. A container having a bottom and a peripheral wall, a tubular column disposed vertically in said container axially thereof, a closure plug for the upper end of said column, a conduit leading from the column intermediate the height thereof and passing through the peripheral wall of the container, a hollow head rotatably mounted about the lower end of said column and having radially extending arms formed with inlet openings, a collar about the upper end of said column formed with a circumferentially extending recess in its marginal edge face, a clamp consisting of companion members disposed about the collar within the marginal recess thereof and having arms extending radially of the clamp at opposite sides of the collar, fasteners passing through said arms to secure the clamp sections together, and a ladder having lower ends of its side rails formed with eyes through which certain of said fasteners pass to connect the side rails with the arms and support the ladder.

JESSE F. JACOBS. 

